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The Canada Child Benefit program

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On July 20, 2016, the first benefit payments for the new Canada Child Benefit program (CCB) were rolled out. The new and improved program replaced the Universal Child Care Benefit (as well as the Canada Child Tax Benefit, National Child Benefit, “income-splitting for families,” and the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit and Children’s Arts Tax Credit).

Improvements to the benefit include:

Higher benefits – an increase of almost $2,300 will be received by families

Tax-free – payments received will not be included when families file their tax returns

Simpler – families receive a single payment every month

Better targeted to those who need it most – low and middle-income families get higher payments

Who can benefit?

Families with children under the age of 18 are eligible for the CCB. Parents must be:

Canadian citizens

permanent residents

refugees

How much do we get?

The amount of money a family receives will be based on the net income reported on income tax returns. This is why all families are urged to file a return each year even if they did not have income that year. The benefits will be paid monthly, over a 12-month period from July of one year to June the following year.

The CCB pays up to $6,400 per year for each child under the age of six, and up to $5,400 per year for each child aged six to 17. This is based on an annual net income of $30,000 and less. An additional benefit is given for each child who qualifies for a disability payment. Families with higher annual net incomes may receive less.

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